Michael

Greg Cantori plans to downsize when he retires. Really, really downsize. His retirement home is 238 square feet — one-tenth the size of the average new American house — and sits in his Anne Arundel County yard. He and wife Renee can hitch it to a truck and take it with them wherever they go. "It's so cheap — that's what's so cool about this," said Cantori, 52, who envisions a surf-and-turf future, alternating between the house and a sailboat. "We bought the house for $19,000.

The pitch bores in low and skitters under Ian Anderson's mitt. As he chugs to retrieve the baseball, another enemy runner dashes across home plate, putting the Carver Bears more hopelessly behind. Shoulders slump around this West Baltimore diamond, lumpy and pocked with dandelions after weeks of no mowing. Harvey White, pitching his first game ever for Carver, can't find his control. And Anderson, filling in for a suspended teammate, looks like the novice he is behind the plate. But from the bench comes an animated voice, cutting through the dejection: "Good job, Ian!

If you're a big fan, you already knew what was coming in the season finale. But it didn't make it any easier -- or less heartbreaking -- to watch. The majority of the Season 3 "Downton" finale, or the "Christmas special" as its called in the U.K., took place in Scotland, where the whole family (minus Branson) visits the Highlands home of the Dowager's niece, Susan, and her husband, Shrimpy. Most of the trip included bagpipes, hunting, more bagpipes and Scottish reel dancing. But more on that later (and more on O'Brien meeting her Scottish lady's maid doppelganger)

Michael Phelps is the second-most influential athlete in the United States, according to data from surveys conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research and published by Forbes.com . Phelps ranks behind only Tim Tebow, a quarterback without a team, and ahead of sprinter Usain Bolt. While Tebow may be an example of marketing mattering more than on-field performance, Phelps and Bolt seem to be the product of Olympic greatness being paired with forward-thinking promotion. I caught up with Phelps' long-time agent, Peter Carlisle, last week to talk about his plans for jockey Rosie Napravnik, a new client he picked up on advice from people in Phelps' Baltimore orbit.

Always, there were those lovely old country estates and gracious manor taverns with roaring fireplaces, but in the old days fine dining was associated with the city. Not so anymore. Now, there are more compelling reasons than ever for diners to cross county lines for a good meal. The 50 best county restaurants in Howard County, Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County is a mix of the old and the new, destinations for special occasions and joints for Monday night suppers, the chef-driven and crowd-pleasing.

INDIANAPOLIS -- He missed his first six shots. He went scoreless for 16 minutes. And he finished with a shooting percentage that looked good only when compared to his batting average.No matter."Michael's still Michael," Indiana's Reggie Miller said yesterday after a certain Mr. Jordan, playing for the first time in nearly two years, made only seven of 28 shots in the Chicago Bulls' 103-96 overtime loss to the Pacers."I guarded him for most of the game, and he's still got all his stuff," Miller said.

On September 7, 2005, CATHERINE "Pat" IOLA R. MICHAEL of Aberdeen, MD. Beloved wife of the late J. Smith Michael. Devoted step-mother of Beverly Michael Close and step-mother of the late John Calvin Michael and Beatrice Michael Smith. Loving sister of the late James Riley, Alan Riley and Marjorie Riley Campbell. Also survived by several step-grandchildren and her beloved companion, her dog, Ashley Michael. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Aberdeen, MD on Monday, September 12, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. Interment will be in Grove Presbyterian Cemetery, Aberdeen, MD. Friends may call at the church on Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. and Monday at church from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Those who desire may contribute to Joel Mitchell Pediatric Oncology Fund, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 401 North Broadway, Suite 1100, Baltimore, MD 21231-2410.

On September 12, 2003, MICHAEL (TRE)Friends may call at the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME EAST, 1101 East North Avenue, on Thursday after 9 A.M., where the family will receive friends on Friday at 11:30 A.M. Funeral services will follow at 12 noon. See www.marchfh.com

On July 19, 2007, MICHAEL DARRELL DeSHIELDS. Loving husband of Rachel DeShields, Mr. DeShields is survived by one son, Michael David DeShields, two daughters, Tamiko Noelle DeShields and Linaya Mekel Johnson; two grandsons, Michael Dominic DeShields and Malcolm David DeShields; one granddaughter, Ashley Michael DeShields; three brothers, Calvin DeShields, Charles Arnold DeShields, Jerene DeShields; one sister, Melba Holmes and a host of other loving relatives...

On July 28, 2007, MICHAEL PASTELAK, (United States Army Air Corps Veteran and Music Educator for Harford County Schools) beloved husband of Doris Marie Pastelak (nee Miller) loving father of Michael Pastelak and wife Bonnie, Jean Prince and husband Tom, Andy Pastelak and wife Deborah, Barbara Sullivan and husband Dan, John Pastelak, Marianne Malloy and husband Harry, Nicholas Pastelak and wife Dianne; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; dear brother of Eugene Pastelak, Jeanette Sikora, and Ann Stettenbauer.

Even if Bryant McKinnie does not prove to be an upgrade over Michael Oher, his return to the Ravens and the left tackle position should at least strengthen the Ravens at left guard and right tackle, where Oher will likely play. Make no mistake, though, Oher will still be in the crosshairs of formidable NFL pass rushers over at right tackle. In a story I wrote in December about Oher's future with the Ravens, I mentioned the theory that in today's NFL, the left tackle position, while still the most important position on the offensive line, might not be as valuable as it was a decade or so ago when Jonathan Ogden was steering pass rushers clear of Ravens quarterbacks.

Michael Mayer knows a thing or two about coming of age. The Maryland-born director won a Tony Award for his work guiding the 2006 Broadway hit "Spring Awakening," which chronicles teens getting a grip on their budding sexuality. In 2010, he directed "American Idiot," a punk rock musical based on the Green Day album of that name, which follows a group of cynical, spent youths as they seek excitement in a big city. Mayer didn't just direct the latter, but collaborated on the book with Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Baltimore lawyer Frank Morgan helped swimmer Michael Phelps , then 16 years old, select Peter Carlisle as his agent. Phelps was years away from stardom, but Carlisle aggressively marketed his client, hoping to eventually elevate him beyond the confines of an Olympic sport that mattered to a broad audience only every four years. Earlier this year, Carlisle signed another client - at the suggestion of Morgan - and put her on the Phelps plan. He's already signed a deal for jockey Rosie Napravnik to endorse Snickers - an agreement proposed before Carlisle learned that the candy bar was named for a horse - and has another in the works that could be announced before Preakness.

James and Faye Fisher of Bel Air announce the engagement of their daughter, Allyson Renee Fisher, to Michael Christopher Bouyea, son of Jane Bouyea Casey of Fairport, N.Y., and the late Robert Bouyea. The bride-to-be is a graduate of Bel Air High School and Towson University with a bachelor of science in psychology. The prospective groom is a graduate of Fairport High School in Fairport, N.Y. He holds degrees in information decision technology management from Rochester Institute of Technology and Iona College.

Dale and Deborah Tobin of Havre de Grace announce the engagement of their daughter, Diana "Shelly" Tobin to Michael W. Shenk, son of Dee Hewitt of Havre de Grace and Woodrow Shenk of Conowingo. Tobin is a 2006 graduate of Havre de Grace High School and a 2012 graduate of Harford Community College with a degree in nursing. She is a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Towson. Shenk is a 2000 graduate of Havre de Grace High School and is an electronic technician with Intelect Corporation in Baltimore.

Veteran Anne Arundel County firefighter Michael E. Cox Jr. was named acting fire chief Wednesday, following the retirement of Chief John Robert Ray. "Chief Cox has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to personal and professional development and brings a level of energy to the position that is critical to our county's future," County Executive Laura Neuman said in a prepared statement. Cox, a division chief with more than 25 years of experience in career firefighting, has held numerous positions throughout the department.

THOMAS D. MICHAEL, M.D., of Broad Run Farm, Woodsboro, MD, died December 22, 2005 at home after a brief illness. He practiced medicine in Frederick for thirty years and retired in 1991. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Michael; five children: Christopher S. Michael, Stacey Michael-Di Franza, Tara Michael Andrews, Garth N. Michael, R. Steele Michael; and six grandchildren. Services are private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702.

Under Armour plans to hire hundreds of workers at its Locust Point headquarters this year, expand facilities on its campus and bring its brand of sports apparel and footwear to new markets in the U.S. and around the world. CEO Kevin Plank outlined the goals Tuesday while promising shareholders more of the rapid growth that has defined the $1.8 billion company in recent years. During an annual meeting in which Under Armour pitchman and record-setting Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps made a surprise appearance, Plank said the company is just beginning to make inroads in areas such as athletic footwear, women's sports apparel and international markets, with room to grow.

It's one thing for a letter that you thought was kind-of private to go viral . A letter where you ask your fellow sorority sisters at the University of Maryland if they are "_____ retarded" and in which you say "I WILL _____ ASSAULT YOU!" because you believe them to be "awkward" and "weird. " But you know you're a true Internet sensation when a Real Hollywood Star jumps into the fray. So, congratulations to the Delta Gamma whose nasty and profanity-laced letter to her sisters exploded on the web recently: Michael Shannon of "Boardwalk Empire" has helped you arrive with a dramatic reading on Funny or Die ( Warning: The video contains explicit language )